Research Report Public Housing Transformation and Crime: Making the Case for Responsible Relocation
Susan J. Popkin, Michael J. Rich, Leah Hendey, Christopher R. Hayes, Joe Parilla
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Our analysis indicates a complex relationship between public housing transformation and crime in Chicago and Atlanta, though the efforts led to small net decreases in crime over a study period where crime declined significantly. In neighborhoods with public housing demolition, crime rates fell substantially, while in destination neighborhoods for households relocated with vouchers, they did not fall as much as expected. On average, neighborhoods with a modest or high density of relocated households saw higher crime rates than areas without relocated households. These findings suggest a need for thoughtful relocation strategies that support both assisted residents and receiving communities.
Research Areas Neighborhoods, cities, and metros Housing
Tags Federal housing programs and policies Housing vouchers and mobility Housing markets Federal urban policies Public and assisted housing
Policy Centers Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center